Like it or not, Rise of the Tomb Raider’s exclusivity makes sense

Microsoft’s conference at Gamescom yesterday was another great showing. They had tons of blockbuster games, focusing primarily on some of the exclusives that are headed to Xbox in the near future. Who would’ve guessed the internet would be in such uproar over one of those titles?

Maybe it’s because having a multiplatform title suddenly become an exclusive isn’t normal? Maybe it’s because having a sequel go exclusive alienates fans that may have played the original? When Microsoft announced that Rise of the Tomb Raider, the sequel to last years rather great reboot, would be exclusive to Xbox, it left a sour taste in people’s mouths. Business was robbing them of an experience.

But at its core, that’s exactly what it is. Business; something that Square Enix can’t afford to fluff up over and over again. They made some mistakes with the reboot of Tomb Raider last year. Crystal Dynamics spent too much on resources for the game, something which even 6 million sales couldn’t fully cover. They managed to pull it back with the Definitive Edition released on next-gen consoles, but it was definitely a scare.

So if you’re in that position and one company decided to offer a little more financial security for your second time out, would you turn them down?

That’s basically what Microsoft offered up to Square Enix. There’s no doubt that they’ve paid a lot of money to the publisher to bring Tomb Raider exclusively to Xbox, because that’s not something Square would decide on alone. Microsoft definitely seems to think that Tomb Raider could sell consoles, and Square Enix wants to put out a game that will be more profitable than the first. If you think about it, this deal makes a lot of sense.

With this Microsoft exclusivity deal, Square Enix has managed to make some money on a title that hasn’t hit shelves yet. I’m sure a lot of calculations and projections took place before anything was settled on, which means Square Enix clearly thinks that Microsoft is offering them more than what they could make on Sony sales. This money is also 100% locked down; there’s no sales risk being taken. Again, considering how the first title struggled in terms of profits, I’m pretty sure this was an attractive offer for Square Enix. Almost one they couldn’t refuse.

Having to develop for only one platform also presents its own benefits. With Crystal Dynamics only having to focus on Xbox One and Xbox 360, they’re free to cut developments costs down quite a bit. That all goes hand in hand with compensating for less total sales, something that was also calmly calculated before anything was set in stone.

On Microsoft’s side, they’ve just managed to secure themselves an already established franchise as an exclusive. They’ve been coming second best to Sony’s massive exclusive library for a while now, something they have clearly been working on after seeing all the games exclusive to Xbox One at Gamescom. Whereas most exclusives come from first-party developers, there’s nothing stopping a deal like this. The same happened with the Bayonetta sequel on Wii U, which ignited a similar response from fans. Microsoft need to sell consoles, and having Tomb Raider as an exclusive could certainly bring some in.

This deal makes sense for both Microsoft and Square Enix, and at the end of the day that’s what matters to them. They’re not interested in the fact that you’ve played every single Lara Croft title released. They don’t care if you played the reboot 100 times over and salivated at the thought of the sequel. Microsoft needs to boost their exclusive line-up and Square Enix needs Rise of the Tomb Raider to be more financially successful than the last year’s reboot. They’ve done the calculations, so they must really believe that Microsoft is offering the best deal here.

It’s disappointing that we are the ones who ultimately end up suffering, but you can’t blame either of them for a decision that could make more business sense in the long run. Whether it pays off is a different story entirely.

I am a little snowflake, and you can all call me Sandy until I figure out how to edit this thing, which is probably never. Also, Geoff's a bastard. View all posts by Alessandro →

You better tell that to all the people constantly complaining about how the site is pro-Sony.

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

Last year the site was sponsored by SONY, as it was for the 2014 E3.

HvR – Still dislikes Random.or

So car magazines shouldn’t have ads about vehicle manufacturers in them?

Xcalibersa

Have you read an negative articles about cars recently, it seems their reviews are based on ad money (talking about ignition)

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

It’s just advertising for their Gamescom trip. Yes I know it’s annoying. Yes, the Kinect in the corner pisses me off, but it’s only for a short time.

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

The Kinect is WATCHING you nana!

Spathi

Dear Mother Theresa

I’ve told Gavin a million times, become a charity organisation (they already employ Darren though) but he just won’t listen! What a idiot he and the others at Lazygamer are. Lol!! They are trying to make a living from this site! How preposterous!

Anyway, thank you for doing everything for free. You truly are an inspiration to all of us.

Kind regards,

Spathi

PS: I expect that once you move out of your parents’ house, you will realise that living for free ain’t quite that easy though.

Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)

Once this is released along side a TR-branded Xbox One and a Lara bust (no not that bust, but then again…) the fans will eat it up.

Lara Croft is a strong and well-loved character, this will be interesting none-the-less.

Kensei Seraph

Pity about 2/3rds of the fans won’t be able to play it.

Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)

The thing is not *everyone* has bought a new console yet, myself included. They’re opening the net before they commit to PS4. A smart move.

Kensei Seraph

Good point, I’ll fix it.

Pity about 7/8ths of the fans won’t be able to play it.

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

That assumes that Tomb Raider is still a system seller, or alternatively that Microsoft will unleash the war chest and attempt Titanfall v2 levels of marketing, PR and spin. It might work, but I’m sceptical. I suppose we’ll see in 2015 whether the egg will be on our face or whether Microsoft and Squeenix just boned themselves.

Hammersteyn

My favorite parts from the link below.

“Tomb Raider in 2013 was a success due in large part to your continued support.” – Now go fuck yourselves or buy a XBOX One

“We consider all of you to be the lifeblood of Tomb Raider” – Except for this title

“This doesn’t mean that we’re walking away from our fans who only play on PlayStation or on PC.” – Yeah, a top down shooter like Temple of Osiris is a nice compromise.

“Our friends at Microsoft have always seen huge potential in Tomb Raider” – Friends with money.

I’ve said it a thousand times and I’ll say it again: MS has no shortage of funds, they can easily do stuff like this and more is sure to come! Any other developers out there in a bind…….? ????. Ponies, stop being sour, this will most probably also come to pc, and you’ll always have good memories……

Hammersteyn

But you clearly said it’s a XBOX exclusive.
*Edit, are you doing a 180?

Kensei Seraph

Exactly, he means someone will create an Xbone emulator and then it will be available on PC.

Pieter Kruger

It IS! Just raising your hopes only to CRUSH THEM AGAIN!????

Hammersteyn

So another 180 is coming

Alien Emperor Trevor

Well played

Alien Emperor Trevor

I bet it’s an Xbox exclusive unless it doesn’t sell enough, then it’ll be a timed exclusive.

Kensei Seraph

So it’s a timed exclusive then.

Admiral Chief Beta Tester

Sometimes I wonder if you are not FoxHoundR!

HvR – Still dislikes Random.or

only at night in the full moon

Admiral Chief Beta Tester

[insert wolf cry]

HvR – Still dislikes Random.or

OOOOOOOOOO-nnnnnnnnnneeeeeee

Hammersteyn

Hahaha

Pieter Kruger

Being “staff” you could check IP’s you know? ????

Kensei Seraph

He lost the Random.org fight to become staff.

HvR – Still dislikes Random.or

eeehhhh wrong reply button or you guys know something I do not. I got a nice staff but that is about it.

Hammersteyn

LOL

Admiral Chief Beta Tester

Foxy hasn’t commented in a looooooooooong time, in fact, he mysteriously disappeared and suddenly we have a new XBone fan

Hammersteyn

I was pretty sour, I must agree. But I feel better after seeing Silent Hill. Unless MS buys Konami as well.

Pieter Kruger

*Note to self
1. Konami

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

It’ll most likely come to PS4 too Xbox boss Phil Spencer has confirmed to Eurogamer that Microsoft’s controversial exclusivity deal for Rise of the Tomb Raider “has a duration”.

However, he declined to confirm how long that duration is set for.

Alien Emperor Trevor

You’re copying & pasting this comment with minor changes so much it’s almost like you’re making a COD game.

Admiral Chief Beta Tester

HAHA

Xcalibersa

Also, this article makes no sense.

1. All platforms have similar architecture.
2. TR sold the most copies on the PS.
3. SE will lose out on xx% of fans
4 to infinity. SE names means !@#@ now, they lost a lot of respect.

HvR – Still dislikes Random.or

I guess MS must sponsoring a HUGE chunk (if not all of) of the dev cost.

But you right I for one will think twice before investing in new SE franchise.

Anon A Mouse

Dev and marketing cost me thinks. They expected a backlash but I have a feeling it’s going to be bigger than anticipated.

damnitwheresmypipboy3000

I know man. What does this mean now. So they’re coding their engine to the lowest denominator. That’s really stupid! Are they gonna magically find upscaled assets for the other versions, whenever that is. For the first time ever I actually feel sorry for the PC guys because it’s not optimised fully with assets on PC like first reboot then scaled down to each consoles potential max. How the hell are they gonna scale up the game for PC & PS4 in time. It’s like crytek saying ” ya know what. I think we should go exclusive on PS3 for crysis3 this time. It maybe harder to code for and less power potential than PC but I’m getting a little bit more $. This isn’t content exclusivity for a time period like Destiny on PS4. They are building it with X1 strengths & (sighed) weakness; It’s not gonna look that much better on PS4 or PC which is tragic and a waste of potential for their engine on this weak box. They couldn’t even get the remastered version up to 60fps not once. Why would they choose to work on hardest machine (and weakest). It’s beggers belief!

Sith JJ

This really doesn’t bother me that much.

Hammersteyn

It was a shock at first, but fuck it.

Sith JJ

That’s what I think too. I think it’s a bad business move for Tomb Raider as a series, but that’s their shit.

Alien Emperor Trevor

Yip, it stings because it was multi-platform but I’ve said my piece. Time to move on – I’ll like whatever I play in its place just as much.

Purple_Dragon

Uncharted is still the king.

Alien Emperor Trevor

Never played it so I don’t know hehe.

Sean Murphy

This is total bullshit and they will pay for it. Microsoft once again gets caught with their hand in the cookie jar of anti-consumer policies. Only Xbox fanboys would approve of such shadiness.

Pieter Kruger

Whahahahaha! You think no money changes hands with each and every timed exclusive/exclusive content deal??? Yeah, those things Sony are so fond of!

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

Wow, Sandy going for the most comments of the week or what?

Sith JJ

It’s you!

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

What’s me?!

Sith JJ

Just haven’t seen you online for a while, seeing as how you don’t form part of my inner Steam Friends circle.

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

Pah, the only ‘steam’ friends you have are these!

Kensei Seraph

I regret refreshing almost as much as you will.

Sith JJ

I’m not refreshing yet.

Admiral Chief Beta Tester

BEWARE!

Alien Emperor Trevor

That was you? I thought the cabbage smell was emanating from Martha.

Sith JJ

Mine is usually more like cauliflower.

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

BWAHAHAHAH I WIN INTERWEBZ TODAY!

Kensei Seraph

The day is not yet won.

Alien Emperor Trevor

He may have won this battle, but not the war.

Admiral Chief Beta Tester

They seem happy, looks like the guy in the middle farted. Guy on the right asks him if he did it, guy on left is already gagging, guy on bottom left has no idea and the bottom right dude can’t believe he has friends like this

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

Looked at too long 0_O

Alien Emperor Trevor

What’s with all the towels? FAKE STEAM ROOM IS FAKE!

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

Eish…

Alien Emperor Trevor

It’s not a real steam room if no one’s proudly steam cleaning their nut sack to show everyone their good hygiene habits.

Hammersteyn

Which one is @Admiral_Chief:disqus

Purple_Dragon

It’s fine business wise and all that but I’m voting with my wallet. It probably won’t make an iota of a difference but not buying Square Enix games, wonder how many PS4 guys will buy remastered Sleeping Dogs after this.

Well done if it pays off for them but not getting my money.

Johan Fourie

Yes. SquareEnix who are in a financial woe makes a title exclusive to a console that’s sales pale to the competitor’s and PC. An exclusive buyout price will fall short compared to a multiplatform sales profit. Makes sense, yea. This whole exclusivity business is pinching my balls the wrong way…

Alien Emperor Trevor

It makes business sense for MS & SE.

However I’m not an MS customer (excl Windows) & I can’t be an SE customer any more, as I’m unable to buy something I would have. I don’t have to see their point of view, this isn’t a partnership where we do what’s best for each other – they do what’s best for them period. They’ve taken the sequel to a recent title I played & are telling me if I want to play it then I have to spend R1.000s to do it their way. Well I don’t want to, and I don’t have to be all understanding & wish them the best.

I have no obligation to be pleased with what makes business sense for them. It’s not me, it’s you.

Kensei Seraph

Hear hear.

Kromas of City17

Once again. 6 month – 1 year later we will see it on pc. (and 6 months after that actually buy it on a steam sale)

Alien Emperor Trevor

I hope so, but then they really should clear up whether it’s exclusive, or a timed exclusive. The “no such thing as bad press” rule only goes so far & if some twit is sitting there chortling about his amazing marketing coup, he needs to think again. Then again who saw Ryse coming to PC?

Kromas of City17

Exactly … how many MS exclusive can you count that is not already available on PC? I can count 2 or maybe 3 since I have no idea how many halo’s came out after 1 and 2 (available on PC) and Gears of War (1 is available on PC I think)

Alien Emperor Trevor

I played Halo 1 & GoW 1 on PC, Halo 2 was a Vista exclusive if I remember right. There’s a whole bunch of numbers after those two that never ended up on PC.

Well if you’ve read the statement very carefully they say exclusive to M$ in 2015. What stop them from doing a multiplatform game for 2016? Say a sort of GOTY edition? Do we have a set date for when in 2015 this will come out?

Pieter Kruger

Jan 1st, not Dec 31st! ????

Anon A Mouse

I truly don’t give a rat’s ass when it comes out, I just know SE alienated a lot of gamers by doing this, I’m sure they’ve worked out what their next steps are going to be after this. There is a huge backlash over this, I just hope SE factored all this in correctly.

Kromas of City17

Yeah I am not sure about that. Remember they partnered up with the company that has had so many backlashes about their next gen console that they did a 180 on just about everything they said. That being said unlike Sony a MS exclusive very (and I really mean VERY) rarely does not get a 6 month- 1 year later pc release.

house_hero

“They’re not interested in the fact that you’ve played every single Lara Croft title released. They don’t care if you played the reboot 100 times over and salivated at the thought of the sequel.”… and that my friends is exactly why I will no longer support XBox. They simply do not care about gamers (you know… the people responsible for their existence).

Grant [_G_] Hancock

It’s like the sequel to your favourite film not being released in your country…

Kensei Seraph

You can still stream, pirate or rent it when it gets released on DVD.
This is more like the sequel of your favourite film being released in another solar system.
Yes it will get here eventually but it will take years and there could be an accident.

Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

“Bayonetta sequel on Wii U”

If I’m not mistaking having it exclusive on the Wii-U didn’t help the Wii-U’s sales much.

The big problem here is that it IS a risk. You as a publisher are putting your eggs in to one basket. The Microsoft basket and you are assuming that your eggs are going to make the basket attractive for the world. In essence you are now trying to sell a basket and not eggs.

So Square are now trying to sell the XBox, not the game. If the XBox doesn’t do well, then as a publisher you lose out. Yes you may have the settled money from Microsoft, but what about the future?

If the XBox does bad in sales this is what Square is going to be left with in regards to impression from the consumers:

1) They made a great game for the TR reboot but ultimately failed because they couldn’t handle money right
2) They made a great game but sold too few copies to make a proper impression on the market. Again, they are seen as not being good with money.

The consumers see this, start shying away from Square (Who is already building a rep of being “has beens”) and Square eventually dies off in to obscurity.

Wow I’m negative today 0_o

/Rant

Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

That all being said. If this is simply timed exclusivity and comes to PS4 a bit later, then it would be a better idea because you are not risking your entire Playstation player base who won’t want to support you anymore if they don’t get the game at all

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

Lol, no it doesn’t, Sandy.

There are no real winners in this. Squeenix and Crystal Dynamics may have just gotten a nice cash injection from Microsoft, but at the expense of their fanbase, and potentially at the expense of rebooting the Tomb Raider franchise. Microsoft doesn’t win either because the backlash against them (deservedly) is especially vitriolic. It’s not convincing people to buy a boner for Tomb Raider (regardless of the fact Tomb Raider hasn’t been a system seller in years).

The problem is that this deal doesn’t take into account a long-term strategy. Instead, this is a knee-jerk reaction (a band aid if you will) towards short-term growth in xbox sales rather than sustaining long-term expansion of a new Tomb Raider series.

It makes no sense! As a number of industry leaders have already commented, you don’t gut your combined fanbase in the hopes of growing your game on a smaller platform.

HvR – Still dislikes Random.or

Banana you are thinking about it as a rational person.

Executives can not see past the next quarterly report and bonus pay out.

Exactly right. Logic is for Vulcans, bananas are a post-gym klapping snack.

Kensei Seraph

Bananas are also for eating as a pizza topping.
Lunch was good today.

Alien Emperor Trevor

It was, Thai chicken salad. NOM NOM NOM.

Hammersteyn

Hahaha

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

Here you go Xbox boss Phil Spencer has confirmed to Eurogamer that Microsoft’s controversial exclusivity deal for Rise of the Tomb Raider “has a duration”.

However, he declined to confirm how long that duration is set for.

Alien Emperor Trevor

When pressed to answer Phil replied, “TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!” and jetted off on his segway.

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

Timed exclusives (much like microtransactions and DLC) are truly the worst of this industry. Soon we’ll probably add shitty subscriptions to that list as well. Where’s OVG? He would have been begging for an industry-wide collapse.

Alien Emperor Trevor

Oh wow. He’d be going mental(er). He switched to PS4 because of Xbox online nonsense & he loves Lara.

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

Dude would have flipped out!!! hehehe

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

So Definitive edition heading to PS4 and PC? Yeaah, I’m still getting it second-hand if only to give SE a big middle-finger for ruining my day yesterday. It was already a tough day with Robin Williams passing on. :/ I still wish it was all a hoax… sigh! Damnit Robin Williams…. RIP!

Hell Yeah I can blame them. Just because somebody is trying to make money off of this, doesn’t mean I have to suffer for it.

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

You won’t. Phil Spencer has confirmed it. Xbox boss Phil Spencer has confirmed to Eurogamer that Microsoft’s controversial exclusivity deal for Rise of the Tomb Raider “has a duration”.
However, he declined to confirm how long that duration is set for.

I paid $5 for the TR on special on Steam and I can promise you I was among a shit load of people who did the same. That’s money they will never see. They will now ONLY have not one platform buying it, but also only one console on that platform.

This decision only makes sense if you are trying to kills TR and hoping this is your final cash influx.

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

No one wins when Microsoft is so desperate that they start to snatch up multi-platform games, timed or not. They are not building brand-loyalty they are forcing it on gamers. There are some posters that write that locking up Tomb Raider doesn’t affect them. Question: What happens when/if Microsoft locks up a game/franchise you DO care about? This is terrible for the industry.

I may be in the minority but this type move only strengthens my dislike for the Xbox platform and unfortunately for Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics

Tomb Raider is(was) an existing multi-platform game that was well-received in more than just videogame circles. Microsoft flat-out “took the ball and went home,” well, more like, bought the ball that a bunch of kids were enjoying and went to a corner in the playground where only a few could play with it, unless you promised to be it’s friend.

This is the difference between MS, sony and nintendo…. MS takes games away, while Sony and Nintendo add to the industry. Shady practices for a shady company…nothing more

Kromas of City17

Actually. Sony does the same thing but at an earlier stage. They buy the ball manufacturer and only let you play with a ball if you are their friends. Case in point … Naughty Dog.

You want an awesome company then CDPR or at the very least Valve.

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

There’s difference between owning a studio or funding a studio to get exclusivity. Bayonetta 2 for example,it would not have existed if Nintendo didn’t save it. Nintendo has every right to make it exclusive.

MS on the other hand money hatted/bribed/stole a multiplatform franchise that’s been around for more than 18 years and basically fucked over thousands and thousands of fans right before a highly anticipated sequel.

This is what makes me angry,I don’t care why CD or SE did it. I’m angry at MS for fucking gamers over AGAIN.

Kromas of City17

No I agree with you wholeheartedly but never make Sony look good to make MS look bad. Sony just F***ked over over 2 million DayZ players so yeah. Both companies can go rot in hell for all I care. (With EA sans Bioware)

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

How does DayZ on PS4 have a negative impact on PC DayZ players?

Kromas of City17

The current theory is:
A: Using our money to develop for a new platform
B: New platform will double dev time as the architecture is somewhat different
C: Making a liar out of Dean Hall who promised console ports will only ever be considered well into the Beta.

One of the great reasons I dislike early access so much.

On that note I hope A and B don’t happen though as I love DayZ but as C is already proven I don’t know anymore.

Ooh someone just reminded me of D

D: Controller issues will dumb down gameplay. (not enough buttons on a controller for a game that pretty much uses the whole keyboard)

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

DayZ on PS4 is running a different engine than ARMA/DayZ on PC. With SONY embracing the indies,perhaps they helped financially to do a port for PS4?

Kromas of City17

Like I said. I am hoping those theories are wrong. As for the engines we know for a fact it will be the same engine just modded for either platform. (Infusion or Enfusion or whatever they call it)

DLConspiracy//

So because Crystal and Enix accepted it. That makes it MS fault? Why is everything MS fault and Sony is not responsible for their Exlusivity deals? I think we need to look at the big picture here. I don’t like that this game is only on XBOX ONE (so far), but Sony is just as capable and fully willing to snatch up exclusives all they want. They will too if the Publishers/Developers allow them to. The pub/dev decided to go with MS for “Rise Of the Tomb Raider”. Regardless of why or not. It was the Pubs/Devs choice.

To be VERY clear. I am not saying I agree with their choice. I am saying. That let’s not forget who accepted the check for their fans. If we really want to get down to it. Sony would have done the same thing if the offer was on the table. Maybe not with this game, but they will on something in the future.

Spaffy

Money talks.

DLConspiracy//

Yeah it does, but does that make it MS fault? It’s SE and CD fans. Is it not?

Spaffy

MS is struggling with Xbox sales. SE is struggling financially. So MS makes SE a offer they can’t refuse, depriving the other platforms of what most likely will be a good game.
Should MS then not get part blame? They are trying to buy TR fans, but in my case it won’t work.

DLConspiracy//

What about FROM SOFTWARES Bloodbourne? I have both consoles so it doesn’t really matter to me. I am just saying. People are quick to pull the “MS can buy ANYTHING and they are bad because…” card far too often. Tomb Raider is not MS fans. They are SE and CDs fans. That was their choice. Whether we like it or not.

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

Difference being Bloodborne is a new IP co developed by Sony Japan. MS had fuckall to do with Tomb raider. SONY & Nintendo brings gamers new games. MS takes games away. There’s the difference

DLConspiracy//

Ok… Let me guess. You only own one console. I bet I know which one.

Kromas of City17

People keep forgetting what Sony did to Watch_Dogs vs pc version and yes I also blame Ubisoft. I am equal opportunity like that.

DLConspiracy//

I am fine with that, but to put the blame only on MS is rather trendy. Especially when we have already seen exclusivity in the works from both Sony and MS. This online drama is never gonna end. Until MS falls and we are left with one console. I am starting to see that with people online anyway. Not something I want, but everything is MS fault and Sony cures cancer. Sony can do no wrong. Just seems to me if you don’t think people should do exclusivity then we should let the developers know, because both SONY and MS are going to do it this entire generation.

Kromas of City17

PC Master Race and all that aside. I hate both companies and only bought a PS3 for TLoU (Mission accomplished Sony).

DLConspiracy//

I don’t hate both of them, I am not exactly blown away by either of them though. I have been gaming on my PC a lot more lately. I just think people are quick to blame MS too much all the time.

Kromas of City17

That is why I am an equal opportunity hater. Both companies can go die in a fire. Nintendo can stay as long as they stop touting damn motion controllers.

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

I rocked a WiiU,PS3,Xbox 360 and a PSVITA last gen. Now I own a PS4 yes but will not buy an Xbone when it releases locally because I lost all trust in the Xbox brand after their shady practices and now this as well.
Will rather pick up a gaming PC the end of the year.

DLConspiracy//

That’s your choice. I choose not to miss out on games and have both and a PC gaming rig. I do this so that I can play games. My only point is that Sony is no angel like people treat them.

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

What I think is they looked at potential sales (from PC & PS sales) and MS said okay so it’s an X amount of “potential sales” And dumped a shitload of money at SE for those potentially “lost sales”
SE had every right to take the cash. It guaranteed them “Sales”

But MS fucked gamers (PC & PS) in the ass AGAIN by doing this.

DLConspiracy//

I don’t understand that way of thinking. So if someone said to you. “Hey I will pay you a million dollars to f$%k over your closest friend” would you do it?

They didn’t have to accept the money and regardless of how much that was, it doesn’t mean they had to accept it.

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

CD & SE are businesses. They are financially in kak (Or was?) So I don’t blame them for taking money upfront securing what they hoped they would have made by releasing on all platforms.

DLConspiracy//

So it’s OK for them to throw their fans under the bus for money? I see.

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

Money talks. Sad but true.

DLConspiracy//

Sorry but it just seems like an excuse to exercise your hatred for one company rather than letting the company responsible know it’s not OK. Just my thoughts on the matter.

damnitwheresmypipboy3000

True. But there is a difference between buying the rights( all be temporarily) to a game or just crappy downloadable content nobody really needs an way(Destiny). Plus, this could jeopardise the quality available on the other platforms.

DLConspiracy//

Exclusivity is bad for gaming. Period. MS started the fire and now Sony is fanning the flames. It’s stupid. I think most these exclusives from a financial standpoint should be coming to PC too. I am willing to bet most of the Xbox Console exclusives aside from HALO will be coming to PC. Especially if they are 3rd party exclusives.

Johan Fourie

If I’m not mistaken, Naughty Dog is an in-house Sony studio?

Kromas of City17

That is the point I was making yes.

Spaffy

Using a franchise to sell consoles. Nothing new. But taking away said franchise from other platforms to sell consoles, low blow.

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

And what make them think that TR will move consoles? Not even the mighty Titanfall + a price drop made a difference. No one else but us gamers lose in this dick move by MS.

Spaffy

True. They might sell a few more consoles, but not a game changer.

Pieter Kruger

Hehehe! Now had this been a move from Sony you’d have labelled it “genius” “another win for Sony” Laughing so much now……????

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

Sony are driven by the by gamers for gamers mantra all the while practicing the Live, Learn and Love lifestyle. They give instead of taking away. All what drives MS is their cancerous pot of gold.

DLConspiracy//

Dude… This romancing the corporation speak is really embarrassing. Don’t forget that the company is built around taking your money. They don’t cure cancer. They are greedy no matter what you think. Just because you have memories attached to either shiny brand doesn’t mean they give 2 craps about you. They are in it for the money and they are doing a damn fine job of convincing you they turn that money into food for the homeless or something.

Martin du preez (D4RKL1NGza)

Repent from your sins and declare the lord GDDR5 as your savior as you enter the kingdom of Sony.

DLConspiracy//

aye yi yi…

In the end. Let’s just say. What if “of the Tomb Raider” was never made? I am not saying MS is amazing or something. Legitimately though. If someone didn’t step in and help. What if it never made it into gamers hands period.

At least this way it can see the light of day and I can almost guarantee you that the game is coming to PC. Mark my words. I bet you it will.

It’s just the wheel turning. Their positions were reversed when the 360 & PS3 were released.

Ryanza

In 2006 all those with a PS3 could leave the console on and connected to the internet for cancer research.

But now we all know that weed can slow down cancer growth and in some cancers, weed can even stop cancer growth.

DLConspiracy//

lol

starscream1180

good logic lol

Sovereign

IDK why the 1st one struggled. It was an awesome game!

Kromas of City17

It is a simple matter of CTC vs Profit. The CTC was waaayyy too much and they needed to sell something like 7 mil units to profit. (not exactly sure about the numbers and too lazy to research right now)

Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

The game itself didn’t struggle. It sold boat loads. Unfortunately the publisher spent too much money during development and that’s why it was seen as doing bad because there were no real profits

Lardus-Resident Perve

Hmmm, most comments on this article this week? I had to buy a new Xbox 360 early this year due to RRoD. In the box was a download token for Tomb Raider – is it worth the 8GB download?
PS: I didn’t go new-generation because I still had so many unfinished and underutilised games left with new DLCs. Plus I said I would give it to my sister afterwards.

Admiral Chief Beta Tester

Tomb Raider, well worth it!

Spaffy

Definitely!

Alien Emperor Trevor

Yes, the TR reboot is really good. That’s why this smarts.

Nikola

This whole thing is bunch of crap and that is way I always disliked Microsoft not only I can’t play this game on my PS4 but I can’t play it on my PC either ffs, I will never ever buy a Square Enix game again ever!!!

Pieter Kruger

Boohoo!

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

Now now Buttercup, don’t troll the new kids. I know you’re having fun, but don’t let me put you back under the bridge.

Hammersteyn

His ego is swollen so big he might not fit :/

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

He needs to be careful, he doesn’t have enough space in his home, especially with that massive industrial-sized 1980s Defy Washing machine he calls an Xboner.

SE had a second option. Crowfunding! If RSI can get the funding based off of a 20 year old game (wing commander) then they should be able to get funding based off of how popular the reboot was. Hell I would have gladly pushed some money into kickstarter. MS was not the only option they had available.

Kikmi

There have been massive horror stories emanating out of the world of crowd funding, I’d double check some of the more telling scenarios if I were you, several gaping and fundamental flaws, all at the cost of the “investor”

Kromas of City17

Yeah but this is SE. Look at Double Fine. So most horror stories come from apparent “indie” studios. Double Fine has proven that large and well established studios can do this thing without all the bs involved and come out the better for it.

Kikmi

You make a good point, i was just stating that CF isnt the hero everyone is making it out to be

Kikmi

I wont argue for one second that the issue is one solely based on business. i will agree that in a world of dimes and dollars getting an initial investment kitty paid straight to you for exclusivity gives you a sense of much needed security and stability over what has happened in the past.

However. The notion that people these days having a device for the sole purpose of one piece of software is outdated and inaccurate. The offer of choice to the consumer knows almost no bounds these days with television streaming to fridges and watches that can check your email. Are you honestly going to tell me that folk will pay upwards of 5000 rand and on top of that more than likely 900 rand for the game and console, on the basis that there is one exclusive? Absofuckinglutely not. They would be able to justify it like many have with instances of halo and forza, but the exception far outweighs the rule. A game that was open on every major platform getting choke held by one over enthusiastic shopper? No that will do so very well.

Both consoles came out at the same time and due to MS’s own restrictions they are now at half of the sales of the PS4, above that where are they planning on generating revenue after the large outlay already paid to CD? CD probably will be fine onwards minus A LOT of their fanbase (therefore ending badly for them either way) MS will need to explain to the BoD why they havent managed to capture more sales for both software and hardware which they will solely blame the marketing department and ends in a world of infighting but ultimately bad for them as well

There wont be a nice fairytale ending to this movie. Remember Bayonetta? Yeah, that too is going to end so very well.

Its about business sure, but you dont bite the hand that feeds you…

Kromas of City17

Anyone else besides me really cheering the Steam Machine concept with all their might right about now?

HL3 Steam Machine Exclusive here we come!

Admiral Chief Beta Tester

*Raises hand

http://www.lazygamer.net Gavin Mannion

Honestly I think it would give Valve too much power in the market place and that is never a good thing.

Alien Emperor Trevor

I cheered the Steam Machine concept when I heard about it, because I thought it was supposed to simplify the process of buying a gaming PC by having some kind of standard. Kinda like green is fine, blue is better & red is awesome. Then I saw the hardware manufacturers announce 1,001 different versions of them at eye-watering prices.

Alien Emperor Trevor

Wow, I just noticed I unconsciously went Nvidia, Intel, AMD. Well played me!

Dennis Crosby

I think its a laughable situation it seem everytime Microsoft announced a exclusive its a problem people complain about it but Sony announce a exclusive its ok.

Kamille

good for M$ but bad for everyone else.

starscream1180

same thing happened with mass effect part 1 and 2 ,..if youre bias towards sony keep crying, in the end nothing will change.

ariessiren

i thought i was on xbox.com with these ads. could have fooled me

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

Dude… I still can’t get used to the damn Kinect starring at me from the right hand side. Look at it… It peers into your soul.

Really guy? Why did you have to piss on Pieter’s parade! Give the guy at least 24 hours to gloat next time, Xbots have little enough to be happy about

Alien Emperor Trevor

After all the abuse he’s had to endure it’s only fair.

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

Yeah man… poor Pieter Kruger has had a tough few months. His VCR washing machine was collecting dust. Mr Xbone (himself) was feeling a little down, and this news about TR exclusivity actually put a spring in his step. I don’t think I’ve seen Pieter this happy since before February 2013.

Hammersteyn

LOL!

http://www.themovies.co.za Rinceable

Hahaha! Indeed Flipping fanboys.

ZubSaber a.k.a Hans

So basically if I don’t get an X-Bone I’ll miss out on a sequel to a game I really enjoyed?

Oh well, tough luck for me then. Not like there aren’t hundreds of other games to choose from.

Jhora Zakaryan

It’s already confirmed as timed exclusivity by Phil Spencer, and they’ve done nothing but damaged the reputation of an iconic gaming franchise.

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

Yeah, they should have just come out and said it’s a “timed exclusive…. because ‘reasons'”. Now you have a bunch of really angry gamers who feel legitimately and rightfully shat on.

Jhora Zakaryan

Not that PS4 gamers were going to form waiting lines to buy Xbones for TR, because Uncharted is releasing during the same time frame. As for me, I’m going to download the PC version from torrent. Not paying a cent to the bunch of ignorant idiots at Square Enix.

Brian Murphy

“Who would’ve guessed the internet would be in such uproar over one of those titles?”

Anyone with an ounce of sense, maybe? Tomb Raider has been on Sony consoles going all the way back to the PS1…18 years ago. So, the uproar is perfectly natural.

Now, why it doesn’t make sense? Easy. Not out of some fanboy rage against Microsoft for doing what Microsoft does (though, one of these days you figure they’ll get the point of hiring internally, but that’s another conversation), no, it makes no sense because S-E said that Tomb Raider 2013 underperformed/didn’t live up to expectations. And retail sales on the 360/XB1 were in the 1.88m range. (~170K on the XB1)

That’s where the logic to this falls apart. Even if Microsoft has moneyhatted the entire venture, someone’s going to lose money here, because TR, as a franchise, hasn’t fully rebounded since it’s glory days. TR 2013 was a great first step in bringing the franchise back, however, they just kneecapped it’s revival by limiting it to so few people. So that’s really where the whole ‘doesn’t make sense’ comes from.

Purple_Dragon

Hold the phone, is Phil Specter saying it is a timed exclusive but the “other” will be PC? So just XBox and PC then? Way to balls up things.

That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying he said timed exclusive so theoretically it could land on pc and not on ps4 and still be a “timed exclusive”.

But I’m probably just looking for shit hehe.

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

I think at this stage, it’s wait and see.

Ryanza

He said the exclusive deal was like Dead Rising 3 and Ryse. That to me means PC release.

He says that he doesn’t own the IP. He never bought the IP. They can do what they want after the deal is done. Sounds to me that the whole game is exclusive and any other Tomb Raider game will not be exclusive.

But let’s see how this plays out.

Shodan

Well like it or not SE and MS I am not buying it now Such a shame I had so much fun playing the reboot.. Goodbye Lara I will miss you.

BacchusZA

Wasn’t there some doubt as to whether this game was actually going to get made, given how “not as well as we needed it to” the last one did?

So MS giving SE the money for a timed exclusive (I understand this is the case now?) so that it now definitely gets made, is a bad thing?

It seems to me that they may just have done you a favour, and made sure you’ll actually *see* this game, on your platform of choice, at some point.

And if you have to wait 6 months, or a year or whatever for the exclusivity to run out? It sucks, sure, we’d all like to play every game that interests us the second we hear about it, never mind at the end of a development cycle, let alone an exclusivity agreement. At least now you *will* get to play the game, and more than likely you’ll get the patched and enhanced GOTY version with all the DLC included at the end of the exclusivity period, and maybe even cheaper.

I enjoyed the last game myself, and would like to play this one too, sooner rather than later. But I don’t own an XBone (or PS4) just yet, so I’ll likely end up waiting till it comes out on PC. And if we’ve managed to not die whilst waiting for over a year for GTA V to come to PC and next gen consoles, then I’m sure the same will hold true for Tomb Raider.

Alien Emperor Trevor

Timed exclusivity doesn’t bother me, I only buy a year or so after release anyway.

Guest

Hahaha, so much butthurt $0N¥ PauperStation desperation all around. Loving them tears. Keep them flowing.

ASSASSYN

I am very happy with this deal. I have every intent to get the next installment tomb raider. I only wish Microsoft would lock down many more exclusives. The division exclusive would be nice, but I am comfortable with the exclusive albeit temporary content.

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

LOL!

EddyNigma

TR won’t move many X1’s, fans will vote with their wallets and Square will learn the consequence of being greedy and alienating fans.

May as well not, they have lost me by this… time for us to show these companies we DONT WANT A O NE YEAR OLD GAME! Dont screw us ovver for microsoft. Im dine with the franchise after this one. Vote with your wallet.

Justin Valois

Thats really not good enough. If I wanted an old game, id buy one on steamsale.